Obituaries from April 2003

Capitola Melton(04/01/03)ARNOLD -- Capitola W. Melton, 92, formerly of Charleston, died at 6:40 p.m. March 31, 2003, at St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis. Born March 26, 1911, in Charleston, daughter of the late Charles and Mary Elizabeth Austin White, she was a member of the Elm Street Baptist Church in Charleston. She lived most of her life in St. Louis and resided at the South County Manor in Arnold since 1995...

Vernon Zimmerman(04/01/03)SCOTT CITY - Vernon Edward Zimmerman, 67, died March 31, 2003, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Born June 8, 1935, in Fornfelt, son of the late Theodore Roosevelt and Anna Lee Cambron Zimmerman, he was a retired riverboat pilot and U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Scott City, Harold O. Grauel Masonic Lodge 672 in Cape Girardeau, Cape Shriner's Club and the Moolah Temple in St. Louis...

Albert Joyce(04/01/03)RISCO - Albert Lee Joyce, 86, died March 31, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 13, 1916, in Malden, son of the late Andrew Emanuel and Nora Elizabeth Masters Joyce, he was a farmer and member of Pleasant View General Baptist Church in Risco...

Clay Taylor(04/01/03)SIKESTON - Rueben Clay Taylor, 85, died March 30, 2003, at his home. Born Oct. 7, 1917, in McMullin, son of the late Charles Paschall and Ada Adeliene Prichett Taylor, he was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he was an operator for the Glass Container Corporation for more than 30 years before retiring...

Robert Reinbott(04/01/03)PARMA - Robert Edward Reinbott, 77, of rural Parma, died March 30, 2003. Born Nov. 17, 1925, son of the late Charles and Clara Chaney Reinbott, he was a retired farmer and member of the Vinson General Baptist Church in rural Bernie. On April 2, 1947, at Piggott, Ark., he married Kathleen Moore who survives of the home...

Mary Homer(04/01/03)DEXTER - Mary Colleen Homer, 74, died March 31, 2003, at Hunter Acres Caring Center in Sikeston. Born June 22, 1928, in Bloomfield, daughter of the late W.C. and Edith Williams Cates, she had lived in Bloomfield and Dexter for many years. A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau, she retired as a teacher for Bloomfield Public Schools and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Dexter...

Phil Campagna(04/01/03)MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Albert Philip "Phil" Campagna, 78, died March 29, 2003, at the Methodist Hospital in Germantown. Born March, 7, 1925, in Memphis, son of the late Albert P. and Earleen Lathan Campagna Sr., he was a U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II and was retired from Fleming Foods. He was a communicate member of St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lady Lake, Fla., and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Germantown...

Milem Adkins(04/27/03)MOREHOUSE - Milem T. Adkins, 104, died April 24, 2003, at the Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston. Born July 20, 1898, in Morehouse, son of the late William Taylor and Susie Millington Adkins, he was a lifelong resident of Morehouse and a retired carpenter and farmer...

Sandra Chaney(04/27/03)SCOTT CITY - Sandra Lynn Chaney, 39, died April 25, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born March 12, 1964, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of James William Schoen of Scott City and the late Shirley Ann Green Schoen, she was a cook for Wendy's Restaurant...

Paul Johnson(04/27/03)FARMINGTON - Paul Embro Johnson, 67, formerly of East Prairie, died at 7:17 p.m. April 24, 2003, at his home. Born Feb. 5, 1936, in East Prairie, son of the late Rosalee Johnson Smith, he was a retired handyman and of the Baptist belief. He lived in East Prairie before moving to Farmington 10 years ago...

Dorothy Boullion(04/27/03)DEXTER - Dorothy Virginia Boullion, 65, died April 25, 2003, at the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Dexter. Born Sept. 25, 1937, in Ellsinore, daughter of the late Odell and Dovie Stevens Richards, she was employed by the Sunset Haven Nursing Center in Beaumont, Calif., before retiring...

Floyd Thresher(04/27/03)EAST PRAIRIE -- Floyd Samuel Thresher, 86, died at 3:30 a.m. April 26, 2003, at his residence. Born May 21, 1916, in Arkansas, son of the late Eli and Hattie Harland Thresher, he was a retired farmer and lived in Mississippi County most of his life. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of East Prairie...

Geneva Smith(04/27/03)EAST PRAIRIE -- Geneva Smith, 72, died at 2:45 a.m. April 26, 2003, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Born Jan. 5, 1931, in Bruston, Tenn., daughter of the late Ernest and Mary Greer Prince, she lived in East Prairie most of her life and was a member of the Free Will Pentecostal Church in Immokalee, Fla...

Leonard Swims(04/25/03)PORTAGEVILLE - Leonard E. Swims, 79, died April 24, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 19, 1924, in New Madrid County, son of the late Dewey N. and Lizzie Butts Swims, he was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and member of the American Legion...

Willard Westmoreland(04/25/03)MOREHOUSE - William Willard "Skinner" Westmoreland Jr., 82, died at 6:10 p.m. April 23, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Sept. 27, 1920, in Sikeston, son of the late William Willard and Dink Oliver Westmoreland Sr., he was a self-employed construction contractor, retiring in 1977, and served with the U.S. Army during World War II...

Kenneth Hargrave(04/25/03)BLOOMFIELD - Kenneth Wayne Hargrave, 59, died April 23, 2003, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born May 3, 1943, in Cairo, Ill., he was the son of Mary Binford Hargrave of Bloomfield and the late Goldie Hargrave. Survivors in addition to his mother include: five sons, Gary Hargrave of Belton, Texas, Troy Hargrave of Cape Girardeau, Christopher Conner of Dexter, Tim Hargrave of Anna, Ill., and Steve Hargrave of Joliet, Ill.; two daughters, Melissa Meskenas of Arlington, Tenn., and Laurie Van Buren of Anna; one brother, Roger Hargrave of Joliet; one sister, Margaret Carlson of Spokane, Wash.; 12 grandchildren; and a special friend, Sally Pratt of Malden.. ...

Charlotte Moll(04/25/03)SIKESTON - Charlotte Jean Moll, 76, died April 25, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born May 11, 1926, in Sikeston, daughter of the late Harry and Tessie Dill Strain, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston. On Sept. 27, 1947, she married Miller Gene Moll who survives of the home...

Paul Johnson(04/25/03)FARMINGTON - Paul Embro Johnson, 67, formerly of East Prairie, died April 24, 2003, at his home.
Arrangements incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie.

Kathern Clay(04/25/03)PORTAGEVILLE - Kathern E. Clay, 89, died April 24, 2003, at Pemiscot County Memorial Hospital in Hayti. Born March 20, 1914, in Portageville, she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Myrtle Duckworth Lewis. On Feb. 13, 1932, in Portageville, she married Harry Clay who preceded her in death on Sept. 28, 1969...

Stella Knuckles(04/27/03)SIKESTON -- Stella Knuckles, 83, died April 26, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Nov. 10, 1919, in Bugscuffle, Okla., daughter of the late Wylie and Minnie Gamble Downs, she was a member of the Christian Tabernacle in Sikeston...

Dorothy Boullion(04/25/03)DEXTER - Dorothy Boullion 65, died April 25, 2003, at the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Dexter.
Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

James Hopper(04/25/03)MOREHOUSE - Pallbearers at services conducted Thursday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for James Edward Hopper, 54, who died April 20, 2003, were: David Ervin, D.J. Ervin, Ray Barnett, Will Barnett, Jeff Britton and Dale Flanigan.

Mary Cruchon(04/25/03)MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Mary Jane Cruchon, 59, formerly of New Madrid, died April 22, 2003, in Memphis. Born Jan. 23, 1944, in Cape Girardeau, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Theodore A. and Edna Dismore Cruchon. Survivors include: one brother, David Cruchon of Bartlett; and three sisters, Nadean Cruchon of Memphis, Gwen Cruchon of Carlsbad, Calif., and Louise Kirchberg of New Orleans, La...

Robert Smith(04/25/03)SIKESTON - Service arrangements have been changed for Robert Smith Jr., 56, who died April 22, 2003. Visitation is from noon Saturday until service time at 2 p.m. at Perry Chapel AME Church in Charleston. The Rev. Lavern Frazier will officiate. The Missouri Military Funeral Honors Guard will conduct graveside military rites at Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston...

Wilma Hampton(04/25/03)DEXTER - Wilma Mae Hampton, 85, died April 24, 2003, at the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Dexter. Born April 2, 1918, near Dexter, daughter of the late Edward and Velma Kitchens Fritts, she lived in Malden and Dexter all her life. She retired as a seamstress for the Elder Manufacturing Company in Dexter and was a member of the Dexter Church of God...

Milem Adkins(04/28/03)MOREHOUSE - Pallbearers at services conducted today at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Morehouse for Milem T. Adkins, 104, who died April 24, 2003, were: Jeff Bryant, Freddie Copeland, Randy Copeland, John Copeland, John Launius and Michael Pickard...

Edward Koppman(04/28/03)PUXICO - Edward G. Koppman, 74, died April 26, 2003, at the Puxico Nursing Center. Born July 18, 1928, in St. Louis, son of the late Louis and Lura Rollman Koppman, he lived in St. Louis before moving to the Puxico and Wappapello areas in the 1980s. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he retired as a painter from General Motors in St. Louis and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Puxico...

Tommy Johnson(04/28/03)PORTAGEVILLE - Tommy Dale Johnson, 45, died April 26, 2003, at his home. Born Aug. 28, 1957, in Hayti, son of Osker "Bud" Johnson and Nannie Mae Hollingsworth Johnson of Hayward, he worked at the Associated Electric Power Plant in Marston. On Aug. 4, 1978, in Crowder, Miss., he married Cheryl Sue Eads who survives of the home...

Sadie Davis(04/28/03)SCOTT CITY -- Sadie Velma Davis, 86, died at 5:15 a.m. April 25, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 6, 1917, in Whitewater, she was the daughter of the late Andy and Effie Arizona Young Mance. On Feb. 19, 1937, in Jackson, she married Cletis Davis Sr. who preceded her in death on March 21, 1994...

Butch Wilson(04/28/03)EAST PRAIRIE - David Bruce "Butch" Wilson, 51, died April 22, 2003. Born July 15, 1951, in Wolf Island, son of Anna Ellen Bailey Wilson of East Prairie and the late David Lindsay Wilson, he was a lifelong resident of East Prairie and of the Baptist belief...

Frances Matheney(04/28/03)BELL CITY - Mary "Frances" Matheney, 80, died April 26, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 28, 1922, in Pleasant Grove, daughter of the late Oscar and Nancy Elizabeth Bennett Vickens, she was a machine operator for the International Hat Factory in Oran for 25 years and attended the Bell City General Baptist Church...

Jerry Jones(04/28/03)BERTRAND - Jerry Wayne Jones, 56, died at 9 a.m. April 26, 2003, at his residence. Born Sept. 7, 1946, in Wyatt, son of the late George H. and Sadie Lee Holt Jones, he had lived in Mississippi County his entire life and worked as a farmer, retiring in 1997...

Robert Smith(04/24/03)SIKESTON - Robert Smith Jr., 56, died at 11:40 p.m. April 22, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Oct. 25, 1946, in Charleston, son of Margaret Owens Smith of Charleston and the late Robert Smith Sr., he graduated in 1964 from Charleston High School, served with the U.S. ...

Matthew Hayden(04/24/03)SIKESTON - Matthew Paul Hayden, 15, died April 23, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born June 8, 1987, in Perryville, son of Jeff Hayden of Perryville and Lisa Hafner of Park Hills, he was the foster son of Mike and Melissa Stewart of Sikeston and a student at the New Dawn State School in Sikeston...

Ida Mae Wilkins(04/02/03)HAYWOOD CITY - Ida Mae Stevens Wilkins, 54, died March 28, 2003, at her sister's home in St. Louis. Born April 21, 1948, in Greenville, Miss., daughter of the late Mary Stevens and Wilber Moore, she was a 1966 graduate of Scott County Central High School. She was a member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Haywood City where she was a member of the choir...

Gwen Shy(04/24/03)SIKESTON - Gwendolyn Louise "Gwen" Shy, 80, died at 5:15 p.m. April 23, 2003, at her home. Born Nov. 16, 1922, in Ristine, daughter of the late Gordon Samuel and Helen Gould Cruchon Shy Sr., she was an office manager and accountant for the Scott County Milling Company for more than 40 years before retiring. A member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, she was a charter member of the Daughters of Isabella and Legion of Mary...

Susie Rutledge(04/24/03)BERNIE - Susie Orene Rutledge, 88, died April 20, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born March 21, 1915 in Bellfontaine, Miss., daughter of the late James and Janie Richards Tillman, she was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church in rural Bernie...

Terry Crowe(04/24/03)SIKESTON - Terry Dennis Crowe, 49, formerly of Bloomfield, died April 22, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Oct. 31, 1953, in Dexter, son of Eileen McRoy Crowe of Bloomfield and the late Noel Crowe, he worked with the Bloomfield Water Department for many years. He lived in Sikeston and Matthews during the past 20 years and was a member of the Sikeston Eagles Club...

Ester Hartwick(04/02/03)SIKESTON - Ester May Hartwick, 62, formerly of Bertrand, died at 8:20 a.m. April 1, 2003, at the Clearview Nursing Center. Born Aug. 11, 1940, in Dell, Ark., daughter of the late Russell R. and Estell O. Manes McMinn, she had been a waitress and was of the Protestant belief...

Ray Froman(04/02/03)LILBOURN - Ray Lee Froman, 75, died March 31, 2003, at his home. Born Jan. 11, 1928, in Conran, son of the late Gus Bascomb and Beatrice Cannon Froman, he was a member of the Free Trinity Pentecostal Church in Marston and the National Guard. He was a retired farmer...

Thrisey McClain(04/02/03)SIKESTON - Thrisey T. McClain, 58, died April 2, 2003, at her home.
Arrangements are incomplete at Blanchard Funeral Chapel, where visitation is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Services will be conducted Friday at Trinity Gospel Church.

Mabel Alston(04/02/03)CHAFFEE - Mabel M. Alston, 88, formerly of Chalmette, La., died at 3:37 p.m. March 31, 2003, at the Chaffee Nursing Center. Born Sept. 28, 1914, in Neosho County, Kan., daughter of the late Elzie Sigle and Florence Elizabeth Sours Edwards, she retired from a Chevrolet dealership in Leavenworth, Kan., and was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Chaffee...

Raynett Moll(04/02/03)SIKESTON - Raynett Moll, 82, died March 30, 2003, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born March 3, 1921, in Sikeston, daughter of the late Raymond A. and Myrtle Sheppard Moll, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Survivors include: two brothers, Ray Allen Moll and Miller Moll of Sikeston; one sister, Lavina Gardner of Sikeston; four nephews, George W. ...

Vonnie Crawford(04/23/03)CHAFFEE -- Vonnie Helen Crawford, 88, died at 10 a.m. April 22, 2003, at the Chaffee Nursing Center. Born Sept. 8, 1914, in Perkins, daughter of the late John and Elizabeth Myers Reams, she retired as a machine operator for Floresheim Shoe Company in Chaffee...

James Hopper(04/23/03)MOREHOUSE -- James Edward Hopper, 54, formerly of Matthews and Sikeston, died April 20, 2003, at his home. Born Sept. 19, 1948, in Lexington, Tenn., son of the late L.V. and Lois Ella Flatt Hopper, he moved to Morehouse two years ago. Survivors include: one son, Tim Hopper of Cape Girardeau; one daughter, Ella L. ...

Lynn Warner(04/23/03)DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- Dr. Lynn A. Warner Jr., 72, died April 18, 2003, at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Sherman Oaks, Calif. Born Nov. 1, 1930, in Bartlett, son of the late Lynn and Anne Warner, he attended the University of Tennessee-Martin for his premedical studies, graduating in 1954. ...

Janet Thies(04/03/03)POPLAR BLUFF - Janet Maria Thies, 60, formerly of Charleston, died March 20, 2003, at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, following an extended illness. Born Jan. 30, 1943, in Charleston, daughter of Sylvia Caraker Seib of Poplar Bluff and the late Austin Seib, she was a poster child for the March of Dimes in Minnesota. ...

Shorty Grimes(04/03/03)EAST PRAIRIE - Charles Henry "Shorty" Grimes, 94, died at 3:20 a.m. April 2, 2003, at the Bertrand Retirement Center. Born Feb. 4, 1909, in Piedmont, son of the late William Wesley and Mattie Marie Alton Grimes, he lived in Mississippi County most of his life and was a retired carpenter. He was a member of the New Beginnings Church in East Prairie...

Johnie Baker(04/03/03)DEXTER - Johnie Baker, 71, died March 31, 2003, at Missouri Southern Healthcare. Born Sept. 28, 1931, in Essex, son of the late John William and Veda Boyt Baker, he worked for the FCH Farms before retiring. On Dec. 22, 1951, at Piggott, Ark., he married Dora Wauer who survives of the home...

Glendale Becking(04/03/03)BERNIE - Glendale Lee Becking, 75, died April 1, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 2, 1927, in Bernie, son of the late Joseph George and Columbia Belle Cook Becking, he was a farmer and owned and operated the Becking Seed and Fertilizer Plant in Bernie before retiring...

Thrisey McClain(04/03/03)SIKESTON - Thrisey Wilkinson McClain, 58, died at 4:55 a.m. April 2, 2003, at her home. Born Dec. 18, 1944, in Scott County, daughter of the late Riley Adam and Elsie Ray Long, she was a self-employed hairdresser and member of Trinity Gospel Church in Sikeston...

Edith Batson(04/03/03)WEST PLAINS - Edith Christine Batson, 82, died April 1, 2003, in West Plains. Born June 4, 1920, in St. Francis, daughter of the late Charles Acie and Cecil Mae Pettus Phares, she was a resident of Granite City, Ill., and Lawton, Okla., before moving to West Plains in 1997. She retired as a cook for Illinois School District No. 9 and was a soldier of the Salvation Army...

Raynett Moll(04/03/03)SIKESTON - Raynett Moll, 82, died March 30, 2003, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born March 3, 1921, in Sikeston, daughter of the late Raymond A. and Myrtle Sheppard Moll, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Survivors include: two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ray Allen and Delores Moll and Miller and Charlotte Moll of Sikeston; one sister, Lavina Gardner of Sikeston; five nephews, George W. ...

Sterling Moore(04/03/03)ST. LOUIS - Sterling Price Moore, 91, formerly of New Madrid, died March 31, 2003, at the Bethesda Southgate Nursing Home in St. Louis. Born July 4, 1911, in New Madrid County, son of the late Alpheus "Bud" and Ethel Broughton Moore, he was a staff sergeant with the U.S. Army during World War II. A lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, he was an electrician in the New Madrid area before retiring and was of the Catholic belief...

Connie Boehme(04/22/03)CAMPBELL -- Connie Jo Freeman Boehme, 48, died April 19, 2003, at her residence. Born Jan. 20, 1955, at St. Louis, daughter of Evelyn Nadean Burchett Freeman of Malden and the late Edward J. "Sarge" Freeman, she was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary in Lilbourn...

Carl Joyce(04/22/03)SIKESTON - Graveside military rites for Carl Joyce, 74, of Sikeston, who died April 14, 2003, will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Garden of Memories Cemetery under the direction of Blanchard Funeral Chapel. The Missouri Military Honors Program and Company C of the 1140th Engineer Battalion of the Missouri National Guard will provide military rites...

Sherman Baker(04/22/03)SIKESTON - Sherman Lee "Peanut" Baker Jr., 35, died April 18, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born March 9, 1968, in Chicago, Ill., he was the son of Sherman Lee and Mary Lee Baker Sr. of Chicago. Survivors in addition to his parents include: two sons, Devin Baker and Shamar Baker of Sikeston; two daughters, Brianna Baker and Amber Baker of Sikeston; and five sisters, Vonda Kay Baker, Nicole Baker, Krystal Baker and Karmen Baker of Chicago and Katrina Randall of Cape Girardeau...

James Hopper(04/22/03)MOREHOUSE - James Edward Hopper, 54, formerly of Matthews and Sikeston, died April 20, 2003, at his home. Born Sept. 19, 1948, in Lexington, Tenn., son of the late L.V. and Lois Ella Flatt Hopper, he moved to Morehouse two years ago. Survivors include: one son, Tim Hopper of Cape Girardeau; one daughter, Ella L. ...

Helen Sailers(04/22/03)HARRISBURG, Ill. - Helen V. Sailers, 92, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died at 6:05 p.m. April 20, 2003, at the Saline Care Center. Born Jan. 16, 1911, in Kewanee, Mo., daughter of the late Harvey L. and Mattie Brasher Sizemore Sr., she graduated in 1927 from Kewanee High School. She was a member of Christ Methodist Church, Lynds Chapter No. 1 Order of the Eastern Star in Salt Lake City, Utah...

Earl Lenderman(04/22/03)SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for James Earl Lenderman, 92, of Matthews, who died April 20, 2003, will be: Todd Lenderman, Scotty Lenderman, Cory Lenderman, Kindle Lenderman, Norman Crumpecker and Paul Barnes. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, where services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday...

Claire Collins(04/23/03)KENOSHA, Wis. - Claire Mae Collins, 71, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., died April 20, 2003, in the Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha. Born Nov. 2, 1931, in Mississippi County to the late Carrol and Minnie Lee Busby Gammons, she had lived in Kenosha for several years. She worked at Jockey International, American Motors Co. and was a homemaker. Also she was a member of the River of Life Fellowship Church in Kenosha...

Iva Marshall(04/06/03)EAST PRAIRIE -- Iva Earlene Marshall, 88, died at 9:45 a.m. April 4, 2003, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Born April 12, 1914, in Mississippi County, daughter of the late Clyde A. and Minnie Fleming Jones, she had lived in Mississippi County all of her life, where she was a member of the First Church of God in East Prairie. She had worked at the Budget Laundry, the East Prairie R-2 Schools and at the Prairie Manufacturing in East Prairie...

Patricia Jones(04/06/03)HOWARDVILLE -- Patricia Ann Jones, 41, died April 2, 2003, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born Aug. 5, 1961, in New Madrid, daughter of Ida Mae Jones of Howardville and Nathaniel Word of St. Louis, she was a 1981 graduate of Howardville High School and attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., and Lincoln University in Jefferson City. She served with the Missouri National Guard and was trained in the Medical Service Corps at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas...

Laura Thomason(04/04/03)MARSTON - Laura Beatrice Thomason, 92, died April 3, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Dec. 27, 1910, in Newport, Ark., she was the daughter of the late William Henry and Alice Hinton Scudder. On Nov. 26, 1927, she married Don DeWitt Thomason Sr. who preceded her in death on May 14, 1986...

Dorothy Abbott(04/04/03)MALDEN - Dorothy Mae Mims Abbott, 71, died April 2, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 26, 1931, in Truman, Ark., she was the daughter of the late William and Eugenia King George. Survivors include: three sons, Leslie Wayne Mims of Kennett, Johnny Ralph Mims of Southaven, Miss., and Tommy Joe Mims of Jonesboro, Ark.; three daughters, Linda Karen Lewis of Midlothian, Va., Rita Sharon Nolen of Caruthersville and Lana Sue Robinson of Campbell, Calif.; three brothers, John Gary Woods of Malden, Richard G. ...

Betty Nettler(04/04/03)ADVANCE - Betty J. Nettler, 73, entered into rest on April 2, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 18, 1930, at Brownwood, daughter of the late Laurence and Eula Smith Williams, she was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Advance...

Flora Loomas(04/04/03)EAST PRAIRIE - Flora Almeta Blue Loomas, 77, died at 4:40 p.m. April 2, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born July 13, 1925, in Farrenburg, daughter of the late William Henry and Jenny Harr Blue, she was a member of the Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in East Prairie. She was a seamstress and was also a bookkeeper for the Loomas Auto Body Shop in East Prairie before retiring...

William Wiley(04/04/03)PUXICO - William Joseph Wiley, 75, died April 1, 2003, at the John J. Pershing Veterans Administration Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Born Sept. 21, 1927, in Victoria, son of the late William and Myrtle Watters Wiley, he was a resident of Stoddard County most of his life and was a veteran of the U.S. Army...

Katherine Bass(04/04/03)NORWICH, Conn. - Katherine Mary Bass, 58, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died at 12:58 a.m. April 3, 2003, at the Haven Health Center in Norwich. Born Oct. 8, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the daughter of Barbara Gabozy Gray of Maine and the late Russell Givens...

Bettye Basham(04/06/03)SIKESTON -- Bettye Jo Lenon Basham, 75, died March 31, 2003, in Sikeston, after a prolonged illness. Born July 25, 1927, in McDougal, Ark., daughter of the late Otto and Gertrude Lenon, she was a member of Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church in Sikeston...

Wilma Below(04/04/03)DELTA - Wilma Below, 85, died April 2, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born June 8, 1917, at Whittenburg, daughter of the late William and Jennie Wray Whitener, she was a member of the Delta First Baptist Church. On Jan. 16, 1945, in Jackson, she married John Below who preceded her in death on May 7, 1975...

Bill Rainey(04/04/03)ADVANCE - Willard "Bill" Rainey, 79, died April 1, 2003, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born Aug. 21, 1923, in Advance, son of the late Charles and Lula Raver Rainey, he was a heavy equipment operator for Little River Drainage for 40 years before retiring. He was a member of the Advance Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses...

Mary Homer(04/04/03)DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Thursday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Mary Colleen Homer, 74, who died March 31, 2003, were: William Homer, Martin Homer, Robert Fanning, Earl C. Williams, David Williams and Keith Cates.

Kenneth Sitz(04/21/03)ESSEX - Kenneth Sitz, 55, died April 18, 2003, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Bloomfield. Born Nov. 2, 1947, in Detroit, Mich., son of Clarence Sitz of Essex and the late Delphia L. Sawyer Sitz, he served with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and was a lifelong resident of Essex...

Warren Galemore(04/21/03)EAST PRAIRIE - Warren LeRoy Galemore, 67, died April 18, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Sept. 9, 1935, in Arkansas, son of the late Gilbert and Eva Laughlin Galemore, he was a parts manager for Hogan's Farm and Home Supply and member of the First Baptist Church in East Prairie...

Robert Marshall(04/21/03)CHAFFEE - Robert N. Marshall, 31, died at 4 a.m. April 19, 2003, at his home. Born March 11, 1972, in Cape Girardeau, son of Walter B. and Kay Keesee Marshall of Chaffee, he was a forklift operator for Fred's Store in Jackson. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Chaffee...

Velda Condict(04/21/03)BERNIE - Velda Mae Condict, 72, died April 20, 2003, at Cypress Point Health Care in Dexter. Born Sept. 6, 1930, in Detroit, Mich., daughter of the late Robert Pear and Gertrude Russell McGowan, she was a child care provider for many years. On March 1, 1950, in Piggott, Ark., she married Clifford N. Condict who survives of the home...

Juanita Lunsford(04/21/03)NEW MADRID - Juanita Lunsford, 82, died April 20, 2003, at her home. Born April 20, 1921, in Paint Lick, Ky., daughter of the late Palestine and Myrtle Botkin Ballard, she retired from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Her husband, Stone Lunsford, preceded her in death...

Diana Holderfield(04/21/03)BLOOMFIELD - Diana "Nanner" Holderfield, 33, died April 18, 2003, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Bloomfield. Born Jan. 4, 1970, in Dexter, daughter of Danny West of Bloomfield and Wanda "Cookie" Grubbs West of Dexter, she was of the Baptist belief...

Lola Bennett(04/21/03)SIKESTON - Lola Mae Bennett, 86, died April 17, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Nov. 21, 1916, in Blodgett, daughter of the late Cleve McCann and Clara Mae Kernell McCann Eaker, she was a member of Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church. She worked in the food division of Sikeston Public Schools before retiring...

Lillie Shelby(04/18/03)SIKESTON - Lillie Bell Shelby, 88, died April 16, 2003, at Sells Rest Home in Matthews. Born April 10, 1915, near Matthews, daughter of the late Spurlin and Birdie Duke Beck Sr., she was a member of North Acres General Baptist Church in Sikeston. On July 11, 1936, in New Madrid, she married Harley Shelby who preceded her in death on July 1, 1984...

Earl Lenderman(04/21/03)MATTHEWS -- James Earl Lenderman, 92, formerly of Circle City, died at 11:50 a.m. April 20, 2003. Born May 14, 1910, in Delaplaine, Ark., son of the late Levi and Mattie Williams Lenderman, he was of the General Baptist belief and had been a farm worker with Herman Smith Farms for many years...

Kenneth Sitz(04/20/03)ESSEX - Kenneth Sitz, 55, died April 18, 2003, from injuries sustained in a car accident near Bloomfield. Born Nov. 2, 1947, in Detroit, Mich., son of Clarence Sitz of Essex and the late Delphia L. Sawyer Sitz, he was a lifelong resident of Essex and served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War...

Warren Galemore(04/20/03)EAST PRAIRIE - Warren LeRoy Galemore, 67, died at 11:55 p.m. April 18, 2003, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.
Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie.

Alveta Aycock(04/21/03)DEXTER - Alveta Murphy Aycock, 69, died April 20, 2003, at her home. Born April 16 ,1934, in Bernie, daughter of Lorell Crabtree Murphy of Dexter and the late Ralph Murphy, she retired from the business office at Dexter Memorial Hospital. On May 23, 1953, in Parma, she married James F. Aycock who preceded her in death on Aug. 9, 2001...

Glenda Scheffer(04/21/03)WHEELING, Ill. - Glenda Faye Scheffer, 60, formerly of Charleston, Mo., and the state of California, died at 8:50 p.m. April 13, 2003, at her home. Born May 3, 1942, in East Prairie, Mo., daughter of the late Jimmy and Thelma Allen Smith, she was a member of St. Emily Catholic Church in Wheeling...

Tina Lea Parker(04/20/03)EAST PRAIRIE - Tina Lea Parker, 39, died at 1:20 p.m. April 17, 2003, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Oct. 13, 1963, in St. Louis, daughter of Harvey Lee Noles of Sikeston and Linda Lou Bailey of Anniston, she was employed at the Flying J Truck Stop near Matthews and was a member of the Miner Baptist Church...

Evelyn Bradley(04/18/03)CHARLESTON - Evelyn Joann Bradley, 63, died at 1:15 a.m. April 16, 2003, at her home. Born July 19, 1939, in eastern Tennessee, daughter of the late Bert Conder and Jennie Thomas Smith, she lived in Mississippi County most of her life and worked for Ed Marshall Farms for many years...

Helen Brock(04/18/03)SIKESTON - Helen Irene Brock, 82, died April 17, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Jan. 26, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Gade and May Copeland. On Feb. 6, 1943, she married James Lloyd Brock who preceded her in death on March 15, 1979...

Tina Parker(04/18/03)SIKESTON - Tina Parker, 39, formerly of Mississippi County, died at 1:20 p.m. April 17, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie...

Helen Williams(04/18/03)RISCO - Helen Maxine Williams, 74, died April 26, 2003, at the Methodist North Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn. Born May 31, 1928, in Alton, daughter of the late George and Chloe May Murry McClanahan, she was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church in Risco...

Jack Crook(04/18/03)FLORISSANT - Jack E. Crook, 67, died April 17, 2003, at his home. Born July 14, 1935, in Success, Ark., son of the late Oscar and Irene Jacobs Crook, he was a purchaser with McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft Corporation in St. Louis before retiring. On June 9, 1961, in East Prairie, he married Alma Wilson who survives of the home...

Leondas "Doc" Allen(04/20/03)EAST PRAIRIE - Leondas "Doc" Allen, 89, died at 10:30 p.m. April 17, 2003, at the Clearview Nursing Center. Born Sept. 28, 1913, in East Prairie, to the late G.M. and Bessie Hockersmith Allen, he had lived most of his life in Mississippi County where he was employed in farming and was a member of the Assembly of God Church in East Prairie...

Gladys Moore(04/18/03)FRUITLAND - Gladys Bollinger Moore, 79, died April 16, 2003, at her home. Born July 26, 1923, in Bell City, daughter of the late Lon and Grace Loftin Bollinger, she had been employed by McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft Corporation in St. Louis. She owned and operated Moore's Grocery at Indian Creek and the Auction Barn Restaurant in Fruitland. ...

Jean Mattingly(04/07/03)PUXICO - Jean Deloris Mattingly, 67, died April 7, 2003, at Three Rivers Healthcare North Campus in Poplar Bluff.
Arrangements are incomplete at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico.

Charlotte Mims(04/08/03)SIKESTON - Charlotte Keller Mims, 45, died April 7, 2003, in Perryville.
Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

Jewell Kyle(04/07/03)DEXTER - Jewell Grace Kyle, 79, died April 5, 2003, at the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Dexter. Born April 7, 1923, in Bertrand, she was the daughter of the late Everett Earl and Rose Hall McClain. On Aug. 24, 1947, in St. Louis, she married Albert R. Kyle who preceded her in death on April 7, 1996...

Clifford Brown(04/07/03)BRAWLEY, Calif. -- Clifford M. Brown, 66, formerly of Mississippi County, Mo., died April 3, 2003, at Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley. Born Nov. 19, 1936, in Mississippi County, son of the late John J. and Maggie Goode Brown, he graduated from Charleston (Mo.) High School and worked in the cotton industry. ...

Norma Keller(04/07/03)SCOTT CITY - Norma Keller, 78, died April 7, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.
Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

Zora Thomure(04/09/03)EAST PRAIRIE - Zora Jane Thomure, 88, died at 11:24 a.m. April 7, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Feb. 26, 1915, in Kentucky, daughter of the late Will S. and Mary Futtrell Hayden, she lived in East Prairie most of her life, where she attended the Full Gospel Church...

James Williams(04/09/03)DEXTER - James T. Williams, 90, died April 8, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.
Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Johnny Nimmo(04/09/03)SIKESTON - Johnny Eugene Nimmo, 72, died at 5:03 a.m. April 8, 2003, at his home. Born Jan. 27, 1931, in Morehouse, son of the late John Luther and Jenny Catherine Frazier Nimmo, he worked at the Sikeston Power Station for 15 years and was a member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. He had also been a member of Carpenter's Local 618 in Cape Girardeau...

Johnny Nimmo(04/08/03)SIKESTON - Johnny Eugene Nimmo, 72, died at 5:03 a.m. April 8, 2003, at his home. Born Jan. 27, 1931, in Morehouse, son of the late John Luther and Jenny Catherine Frazier Nimmo, he worked at the Sikeston Power Station for 15 years and was a member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. He had also been a member of Carpenter's Local 618 in Cape Girardeau...

William Jeffers(04/08/03)CARUTHERSVILLE - William Russell Jeffers, 80, died April 8, 2003, at the Heritage Nursing Center in Kennett.
Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

Norma Keller(04/08/03)SCOTT CITY - Norma Dean Keller, 78, died at 7:30 a.m. April 7, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 19, 1924, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of the late Frank and Yevetta Hunt Reed, she was an assembly worker for Superior Electric in Cape Girardeau before retiring. She was a member of the Clearview Baptist Church in Scott City...

Francis Blake(04/08/03)BERNIE - Francis Deloris Blake, 56, died April 6, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born July 31, 1946, in Gideon, daughter of the late Buddy and Drusilla Richardson Lacey, she was of the Pentecostal belief. On April 28, 1975, in New Madrid, she married Melvin Junior "Buddy" Blake who survives of the home...

Jean Mattingly(04/08/03)PUXICO - Jean Mattingly, 67, died April 7, 2003, at Three Rivers Healthcare North Campus in Poplar Bluff. Born June 25, 1935, in Dudley, daughter of the late Albert Edward and Essie Mae Pullum Choat, she lived in the Dudley and Puxico communities all her life. She retired from Facet Incorporated and was a member of the Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church near Dudley...

Helen Call(04/09/03)PORTAGEVILLE - Helen F. Call, 86, died April 8, 2003, at the Portageville Nursing Center. Born Nov. 23, 1916, in New Madrid County, daughter of the late Henry and Berta Smith Hart, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Portageville. On Nov. 12, 1932, in Portageville, she married Lynnwood Call who preceded her in death on May 7, 1989...

Kenneth Averett(04/09/03)DEXTER - Kenneth William Averett Jr., 73, died April 8, 2003, at Missouri Southern Healthcare. Born May 8, 1929, in Morehouse, son of the late Kenneth William and Gussie Westerfield Averett Sr., he was a member of the Dexter Church of Christ. In 1950, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Texas, Massachusetts and Guam...

Michael Haney(04/09/03)CHARLESTON - Michael Alexander Haney, 49, died at 10:30 a.m. April 8, 2003, at his home. Born Feb. 17, 1954, in East Prairie, son of Dan and Rachel Slaughter Haney of Charleston, he lived in Mississippi County most of his life. He was a horse trainer and member of St. Henry Catholic Church in Charleston...

Charlotte Mims(04/09/03)SIKESTON -- Charlotte Keller Mims, 45, died April 7, 2003, at her home in Perryville. Born June 6, 1957, in Kewanee, daughter of Harold Mims of Hernando, Miss., and Barbara Gates Mims of Sikeston, she was a certified chemist. She worked for Missouri Delta Medical Center for 27 years and was currently employed by Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville...

William Jeffers(04/09/03)KENNETT - William Russell Jeffers, 80, formerly of Pascola, died April 8, 2003, at the Heritage Nursing Center. Born March 31, 1923, in Pascola, he was the son of the late Sidney Russell and Georgia Grace Jackson Jeffers. On Dec. 23, 1947, in New Madrid, he married Nellie Katherine Strode who preceded him in death in 1989...

Anna Matthes(04/09/03)KIRKWOOD - Anna Elizabeth Matthes, 86, died April 8, 2003, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Kirkwood. Born Dec. 4, 1916, in Dexter, daughter of the late Michael and Mary Dietsch Litzler, she was a member of the former St. Casimir Parish Catholic Church in St. Louis County. She retired as an inspector for Carter Carburetor in St. Louis, after 40 years of service, and was a member of the Carter Carburetor Retiree's Association...

Aline Graham(04/10/03)SIKESTON - Aline E. Graham, 93, died at 8:50 p.m. April 9, 2003, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born Jan. 17, 1910, in Fredericktown, daughter of the late Jacob Charles and Myrtle Bell Wheeler Rouse, she was a member of Trinity Baptist Church...

Josephine Baker(04/10/03)HAYTI - Josephine Baker, 98, died April 7, 2003, at the Heritage Nursing Center in Kennett. Born March 25, 1905 in Marks, Miss., daughter of the late Ed and Martha Hunt, she lived in Missouri for more than 50 years. A member of Mount Hope Missionary Baptist Church, she was a choir member and had served on the Mission Board...

Linda Hines(04/10/03)CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Linda L. Hines, 60, died at 4:25 p.m. April 8, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Born April 10, 1942, in Ardeola, daughter of Marie Grahm Watkins of Morley and the late Elmer Clifton Watkins, she worked for Southwestern Bell for 24 years. She was a Southwestern Bell Telephone pioneer and a member of the CWA Telephone Union and the Hooe Baptist Church in Oran...

Larry Carroll Jr.(04/10/03)PORTAGEVILLE - Larry Joe Carroll Jr., 16, died April 8, 2003, at Portageville. Born Sept. 4, 1986, in Cahokia, Ill., he was the son of Larry Joe Carroll Sr. of Holcomb and Marilyn E. Ryans Carroll of Portageville. Survivors in addition to his parents include: one sister, Christine Carroll of Portageville; three brothers, Michael Wayne Gray, Kenneth Wayne Gray and Johnny E. ...

Neomia Crum(04/10/03)LILBOURN - Neomia B. Crum, 53, died April 6, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born July 4, 1949, in Catron, daughter of the late Wiley Bell Sr. and Evelyn Wilson Bell, she was of the Baptist belief. Survivors include: two brothers, Lee Hughes of St. Louis, Charles Bell of Goose Creek, S.C.; one sister, Ora Lee Marsh of St. Louis; and a special friend, John Nelson of the home...

Arkie Bogle(04/10/03)KENNETT - Arkie T. Bogle, 93, died April 6, 2003. Born Sept. 16, 1909, in Yellville, Ark., she was the daughter of the late Albert and Florence Keeling Rice. On Dec. 25, 1926, she married John Winthrup Bogle. Survivors include: five sons and four daughters-in-law, Joe and Addie Bogle of Apopka, Fla., J.W. ...

Charles Houart(04/10/03)BLOOMFIELD - Charles Dean Houart, 30, died April 8, 2003, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born Feb. 7, 1973, in Dexter, son of Charles E. and Mary Crabb Houart of Bloomfield, he was a lifelong resident of the Bloomfield community. He was employed by the Walker Construction Company in Dexter for the past nine years and was a member of the Ridge Runners Motorcycle Club in Idalia...

Douglas Ashby(04/10/03)DEXTER - Douglas Ashby, 16, died April 9, 2003, at Missouri Southern Healthcare, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

James Williams(04/10/03)DEXTER - James T. Williams, 90, died April 8, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Jan. 13, 1913, in Dexter, son of the late Clarence and Annie Woodard Williams, he was a plumbing and heating contractor in Dexter before retiring and had served as an alderman in Dexter...

Leonard Long(04/10/03)BENTON -- Leonard Ray Long, 64, died at 4 a.m. April 9, 2003, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born Aug. 17, 1938, in Columbus, Ky., son of the late Byoma and Addie May Wilson Long, he was a freight worker for Yellow Freight Co. based in Detroit, Mich. He was U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War...

J.W. Wilcox(04/13/03)PARMA - J.W. Wilcox, 77, died April 9, 2003, at his home. Born July 17, 1925, in McCroy, Ark., son of the late James Henry and Mary Melinda Bowen Wilcox, he retired from Federal Mogul in Malden and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. On Aug. 8, 1949, at Osceola, Ark., he married Helen Deen Sandusky who survives of the home...

Latriko Gant(04/13/03)WILSON CITY - Latriko Gant, 26, died unexpectedly April 9, 2003, in Charleston. Born Dec. 17, 1976, in Sikeston, son of Dwight Rice of St. Louis and Varetta Gant of Wilson City, he graduated in 1995 from Charleston High School. Survivors in addition to his parents include: one son, Tiarrius Gant of Sikeston; one daughter, Triana Gant of Sikeston; one brother, Qamir Gant of Wilson City; his maternal grandmother, Rebecca Gant of Wilson City; and his maternal great-grandmother, Pearl Williams of Wilson City.. ...

Coena Reinagel(04/13/03)KELSO - Coena Veronica Reinagel, 79, died at 6:20 a.m. April 11, 2003, at her home. Born March 15, 1924, in Kelso, daughter of the late Albert Joseph and Bertha Heuring Schwartz, she worked in the housekeeping department at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. A member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and St. Ann's Ladies Sodality in Kelso, she was also a member of Knights of Columbus Council 6420 Ladies Auxiliary in Scott City and Friends of St. Francis...

D.L. Griffin(04/13/03)ESSEX - D.L. Griffin, 80, died April 11, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Oct. 12, 1922, in Eldorado, Ill., son of the late James and Lula Sauls Griffin, he lived in California for many years before moving to Essex in 1982. He retired as a heavy equipment operator with Operating Engineers Local No. ...

Vernon Scott(04/13/03)KANSAS CITY - Vernon Scott, 46, formerly of East Prairie, died at 2:48 a.m. April 12, 2003, at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City.
Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie.

Willard Newberry(04/13/03)SIKESTON - Willard E. Newberry, 82, a resident of the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, died at 4:45 a.m. April 11, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born March 28, 1921, in Carthage, son of the late Byron O. and Lenna Maynard Newberry, he was a repeater man for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for 35 years before retiring. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a member at the First Baptist Church in Sikeston, where he also served as a deacon...

Jewell Stafford(04/11/03)HAYWARD - Jewell Marie Stafford, 63, died April 10, 2003, at her home. Born Aug. 31, 1939, in Portageville, she was the daughter of Irene McMahan Johnson of Hayward and the late Kenneth Johnson. On Oct. 18, 1955, in Hernando, Miss., she married Walter Paul Stafford who survives of the home...

Kenneth Ford(04/11/03)CAPE GIRARDEAU - Kenneth Lloyd Ford, 43, died April 10, 2003 at his home. Born Nov. 11, 1959, in Cape Girardeau, son of Mary Lee Smith Ford Davis of Cape Girardeau and the late Lloyd Newton Ford, he was a meat cutter. Survivors in addition to his mother include: his stepfather, Joe Davis of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Chris Ford of Cape Girardeau and Scott Ford of Bullhead City, Ariz.; and one sister, Cheryl Welter of Benton...

Linda Hines(04/13/03)CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Linda L. Hines, 60, died at 4:25 p.m. April 8, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Born April 10, 1942, in Ardeola, daughter of Marie Grahm Watkins of Morley and the late Elmer Clifton Watkins, she worked for Southwestern Bell for 24 years. She was a Southwestern Bell Telephone pioneer and a member of the CWA Telephone Union and the Hooe Baptist Church in Oran...

Doug Ashby(04/11/03)DEXTER - Doug Ashby, 16, died April 9, 2003, at Missouri Southern Healthcare of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born Jan. 2, 1987, in Sikeston, son of Regina Patrick Dowdy of Dexter and Alan Ashby of Bernie, he attended Calvary Baptist Church in Dexter. A sophomore at Dexter High School, he was a member of the National FFA organization and Fellowship of Christian Athletes and worked at the Pizza Hut Restaurant in Dexter...

Dianna Bollinger(04/13/03)SCOTT CITY - Dianna Lee Bollinger, 57, died April 11, 2003, at her home.
Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

Eddie Humphrey(04/15/03)CHARLESTON -- Edward Lee "Eddie" Humphrey, 69, died at 11 p.m. April 13, 2003, at his home. Born April 18, 1933, near East Prairie, son of the late Edward Finel and Norma Lee Douglas Humphrey, he was a lifelong resident of Mississippi County and a retired farmer. He was of the Baptist belief...

Jerry Gilliland(04/15/03)CHAFFEE -- Jerry L. Gilliland, 69, died April 14, 2003, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born May 13, 1933, in Sikeston, son of the late Aubrey and Elsie Sneed Gilliland, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served during the Vietnam War...

Frances Slinkard(04/15/03)EAST PRAIRIE -- Frances Howton Slinkard, 81, died at 8:37 p.m. April 14, 2003, at the Sells Rest Home in Matthews. Born Dec. 12, 1921, in East Prairie, daughter of the late Winfield Rowe and Della Van Markham Howton, she had lived in East Prairie all of her life where she became a member of the First Baptist Church in December 1990...

Carl Joyce(04/15/03)SIKESTON -- Carl T. Joyce, 74, died April 14, 2003, at his home.
Arrangements are incomplete at Blanchard Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

Allen Kidd(04/15/03)WHITEWATER - Allen H. Kidd, 65, died April 13, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born June 27, 1937, in Randles, son of the late Claude E. and Jewell Hitt Kidd, he was a self-employed farmer and was also a truck driver for Brenda Kay Construction in Benton. Past president of the Advance School Board, he was a past member of the Southeast Co-op in Advance and charter member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 4154 in Advance. He was of the Methodist belief...

Betty Talley(04/16/03)SOUTH ROXANA, Ill. -- Betty R. Talley, 67, died April 14, 2003, at Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton. Born June 4, 1935, at Zalma, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Homer and Myrtle Kinder Campbell. On Nov. 14, 1953, she married Russell Eugene Talley who preceded her in death on Dec. 6, 1983...

Evelyn Bradley(04/16/03)CHARLESTON - Evelyn Bradley died at 1 a.m. April 16, 2003, at her home in rural Charleston.
Arrangements are incomplete at McMikle Funeral Home.

Lillie Shelby(04/16/03)SIKESTON - Lillie B. Shelby, 88, died April 16, 2003, at Sells Rest Home in Matthews.
Arrangements are pending at Ponder Funeral Home, where visitation is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday.

Jerry Gilliland(04/16/03)CHAFFEE -- Pallbearers for funeral services scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston for Jerry L. Gilliland, 69, who died April 14, 2003, will be: Dale McCraw, David Gilliland Sr., David Gilliland Jr., Scott Holmes, Chad Holmes and Glenn Holmes. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home...

Lucile Lewis(04/16/03)CANALOU - Lucile Lewis, 82, died April 15, 2003, at her home.
Arrangements are pending at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville, where visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday and services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday.

Hiriam Fields(04/16/03)DEXTER - Joel Hiriam Fields, 92, died April 15, 2003, at the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Dexter. Born Dec. 3, 1910, in Morring, Tenn., son of the late Jefferson Holiday and Beatrice May Reedy Fields, he was a road maintenance worker for Liberty Township before retiring...

Carl Joyce(04/16/03)SIKESTON -- Carl Thurman Joyce, 74, died at 8:23 p.m. April 14, 2003, at his residence. Born May 5, 1928, in Sikeston, son of the late Pearl Lyman and Ruth Iola Wallace Joyce, he was a field mechanic for the Missouri State Highway Department, where he retired in 1983; and was also co-owner of Buckner-Ragsdale Clothing Store from 1980-1991. ...

Harold McClelland(04/17/03)BANDON, Ore. - Harold Leslie McClelland, 73, formerly of Oran, Mo., died March 27, 2003, in Bandon. Born Feb. 12, 1930, in Hopewell, Mo., son of the late Homer and Dezilla Brugere McClelland, he graduated in 1947 from Oran High School. He retired as a deputy sheriff with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department in Stockton, Calif...

Betty Cato(04/17/03)ALTENBURG -- Betty J. Cato, 76, formerly of Dexter and Marble Hill, died April 16, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born June 12, 1926, in Paragould, Ark., she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Jessie Mae Underwood Simpson...

Lola Bennett(04/17/03)SIKESTON - Lola Mae Bennett, 86, died April 17, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Nov. 22, 1916, in Blodgett, daughter of the late Cleve McCann and Clara Mae Kernell McCann Eaker, she was a member of Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church. She worked in the food division of Sikeston Public Schools before retiring...

Lucile Lewis(04/17/03)CANALOU - Lucile Lewis, 82, died April 15, 2003, at her home. Born July 3, 1920, in Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Calvin and Stella Barcham McQueen. On Dec. 14, 1940, in Portageville, she married Otibe Paul Lewis who preceded her in death on Oct. 2, 1997...

Lillie Shelby(04/17/03)SIKESTON - Lillie Bell Shelby, 88, died April 16, 2003, at Sells Rest Home in Matthews. Born April 10, 1915, near Matthews, daughter of the late Spurlin and Birdie Duke Beck Sr., she was a member of North Acres General Baptist Church in Sikeston. On July 11, 1936, in New Madrid, she married Harley Shelby who preceded her in death on July 1, 1984...

Virginia Marchildon(04/17/03)CAIRO, Ill. - Virginia Marchildon, 89, died at 7:05 a.m. April 16, 2003, at Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens, Ga. Born March 31, 1914, in Nashville, Tenn., daughter of the late Walter and Cora Crocker Wood, she was a sales clerk for Neil's Drugstore in Cairo before retiring. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cairo...

Marjorie Jackson(04/17/03)EAST PRAIRIE - Marjorie Catherine Jackson, 80, died at 8:05 p.m. April 15, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Jan. 21, 1923, in East Prairie, daughter of the late Robert and Hattie Jeffries Nunn, she was a lifelong resident of East Prairie, where she was a member of the Jehovah Witnesses Hall...

Evelyn Bradley(04/17/03)CHARLESTON - Evelyn Joan Bradley, 63, died at 1:15 a.m. April 16, 2003, at her home. Born July 19, 1939, in eastern Tennessee, daughter of the late Bert Conder and Jennie Thomas Smith, she lived in Mississippi County most of her life and worked for Ed Marshall Farms for many years...

Joe Brown(04/29/03)SIKESTON - James E. "Joe" Brown, 67, died at 12:53 p.m. April 28, 2003, at his home. Born May 27, 1935, in Sikeston, son of the late James E. and Kathleen Monan Brown, he was a painter with his father and brothers in Sikeston before becoming disabled. He was a charter member of Sikeston Eagles Aerie 3319...

Bill Keating(04/29/03)BOWLING GREEN - William Robert "Bill" Keating, 57, died April 27, 2003, at the Capital Regional Medical Center in Jefferson City. Born Sept. 15, 1945, in Detroit, Mich., son of the late Dallas and Sara Fopay Keating, he lived in Dexter most of his life before moving to Bowling Green...

Vera Pressley(04/29/03)ST. LOUIS - Vera Virginia Pressley, 78, died April 27, 2003, at St. Alexius Hospital in St. Louis. Born Jan. 19, 1925, in Blytheville, Ark., daughter of the late John Elmer and Connie Mae Overman Davis, she was a machine operator for the Caranth Manufacturing Co. in St. Louis before retiring...

Edgar Culbertson(04/29/03)SIKESTON - Edgar I. Culbertson, 77, died at 1:20 a.m. April 29, 2003, at his home. Born Aug. 6, 1925, in Sikeston, he was the son of the late Earl and Elizabeth Johnson Culbertson. When he was a student at Sikeston High School, Culbertson decided to enlist in the Army. ...

Catherine Carter(04/30/03)PARAGOULD, Ark. - Catherine Carter, 85, died April 28, 2003, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center. Born Sept. 24, 1917, in Jonesboro, daughter of the late Thad and Bessie Tindle, she retired from Sears in Memphis, Tenn., and was a member of the East Side Baptist Church in Paragould...

Don Powell(04/30/03)CAPE GIRARDEAU - Franklin "Don" Powell, 61, died April 29, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born May 31, 1941, in Gadsden, Ala., son of the late Ollie and Bertha Hanna Powell, he was owner and manager of the Muddy Water Store in Cape Girardeau. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and retired from Noranda Aluminum...

Sandra Alvino(04/30/03)EAST PRAIRIE - Sandra Jean Alvino, 62, died at 2:15 a.m. April 28, 2003, at her son's home. Born Sept. 27, 1940, in Cook County, Ill., daughter of the late Dominic and Esther Potter Alvino, she lived with a son for the past four years and was of the Catholic belief...

Robert Gaede(04/30/03)DEXTER - Robert Gaede, 78, died April 29, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.
Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Winifred Meeks(04/30/03)SIKESTON - Winifred Meeks, 68, died at 12:30 a.m. April 27, 2003, at the North West Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Born June 5, 1934, in Warrington, England, daughter of the late John and Rachel Hutcheson Alcock, she had been employed by the Anchor Toy Factory in Sikeston. She was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Charleston...

Edgar Culbertson(04/30/03)SIKESTON - Edgar I. Culbertson, 77, died at 1:20 a.m. April 29, 2003, at his home. Born Aug. 6, 1925, in Sikeston, he was the son of the late Earl and Elizabeth Johnson Culbertson. When he was a student at Sikeston High School, Culbertson decided to enlist in the Army. ...

Maxie Graviett(04/30/03)SIKESTON - Maxie Alton Graviett, 82, died at 1 a.m. April 29, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Dec. 11, 1920, in Fayetteville, Ark., daughter of the late Clarence Lee and Mary Lou Evans, he was a retired carpenter and U.S. Navy veteran of World War II...

Lorene Fairweather(04/30/03)SIKESTON - Lorene Fairweather, 83, died at 9:40 p.m. April 28, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born March 25, 1920, in Lilbourn, son of the late Albert and Carrie Hill Fodge, she was an inspector and worked in quality control for Shakeproof Incorporated at Elgin, Ill., a division of Illinois Tool and Works Incorporated, retiring in 1978 after 27 years of service. She moved to Sikeston in 1978, where she was a member of Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church...